The public must no longer tolerate Trump’s abuses of power | Letters

President Donald Trump’s recent attempts to pressure Ukraine to interfere in the 2020 election demonstrate that he is a danger to our democracy and to our election security. The House of Representatives has written up articles of impeachment based on the allegations of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. If any other American committed these crimes, they would be behind bars — as are so many of Trump’s colleagues and 2016 campaign workers. That’s why we believe the House of Representatives should vote to impeach Trump and the Senate should remove him.

The evening before the House vote on articles of impeachment — expected to be one day next week —hundreds will rally at Hinds Plaza in Prince­ton in a call to “Impeach & Remove” this president. We are part of a network of 400 such rallies planned nationwide. Go to impeach.org for more information.

All U.S. senators, who will judge Trump in an impeachment trial, should recognize that the public will no longer tolerate his abuse and denigration of his oath of office. The Senate must vote to remove.

In response to letters by David J. Veneri (“Politi flagged for Schiano assertion”) and Walter Goldeski (“RU should go back to small-time football”) from Nov. 15, I’d like to remind them that Rutgers is not a small-time university.

The prevailing thought in the Garden State that Rutgers should leave the Big Ten, the premier academic and athletic conference in the country, for some low level of sports competition is absurd. Rutgers is a huge research university, and its level of athletic support should match that.

To suggest that this distinguished state institution of higher learning should bail for a smaller athletic division is the ultimate in defeatist attitudes. It’s no wonder that the vast majority of residents here look down on Rutgers. Suggesting a downgrade to the school’s sports programs just perpetuates this.

I prefer to view Rutgers as an equal to our conference brethren. We have nothing in common with Princeton and Yale.

James deLyon, Closter

Let voters decide on licenses

Page 1 of the New Jersey driver’s manual states in bold print that “driving is a privilege, not a right.” I am against granting driver’s licenses for unauthorized immigrants.

No one is above the law. When people come into my country ignoring our immigration laws, this is insulting to many of the legal immigrants who followed the laws, including my family.

Additionally it costs me real money when we must educate unauthorized children, provide infrastructure and open our hospital emergency rooms as health clinics. I am billed through ever-increasing taxes and outrageous health insurance premiums and deductibles.

By continuing to adopt sanctuary policies we are encouraging more people to ignore our laws.

Please leave a message for Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin at 732-855-7441 and tell him to table bill A4743. Better yet, let’s put the question on the 2020 ballot and let the New Jersey electorate decide.

Anna Moss, East Brunswick

We need a new way to redistrict N.J.

After the 2020 U.S. census, the lines of New Jersey’s 40 legislative districts must be redrawn. Currently, 10 individuals appointed by Democratic and Republican party leaders — typically sitting legislators — break into two “teams” and work behind closed doors to create new maps. The problem is that each team works to gerrymander the districts to favor its own party. Then, an independent arbiter chooses which team’s map becomes our new district map. Throughout this secret process, public interests are subordinate to party interests.

The League of Women Voters of New Jersey has researched redistricting in other states and believes we can do better. The league recommends a process that is more transparent, inclusive and independent. Fair districts would be more competitive, motivating legislators to be more responsive to giving everyone a voice.

Visit FairDistrictsnj.org to sign a petition and learn about ending political gerrymandering. And, urge your legislators to take action to improve redistricting in 2020.

Ellen Kovac Elizabeth; Union Area League of Women Voters

Let’s keep brown paper bags

I support the intent of New Jersey’s proposed bills to ban single-use bags, but I urge that the governor and Legislature be careful in their rush to pass the strongest bill in the nation. We certainly need to address plastic bags. They are used indiscriminately and are found everywhere in waste streams and oceans. Plastic bags must be eliminated or pared way back. But paper bags, and in particular the ubiquitous brown-paper shopping bag, should be viewed differently. They are biodegradable, they are reused in many ways, and they are often used as “garbage bags” in our kitchens and elsewhere. What will we do if brown paper shopping bags are banned?